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| Full name | Gregory Paul Inglis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1987-01-15)15 January 1987 (age 38)[1] Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 195 cm (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Centre, Fullback, Five-eighth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 21 May 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gregory Paul Inglis (born 15 January 1987), also known by thenickname of"G.I.", is a retired Indigenous Australian professionalrugby league footballer, who regularly played as a centre, fullback, five-eighth and wing.
From 2011 to 2019, Inglis played in theNRL for theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs, including their 2014 premiership win.[4] AQueenslandState of Origin andAustralian international representative outside back, he previously played for theMelbourne Storm, with whom he won aClive Churchill Medal and theGolden Boot Award. Inglis was a versatile back, having played in several positions during his career. He originally playedwing orcentre for theStorm, occasionally filling in atfullback when injuries or players demanded.
In 2007, he moved to and played atfive-eighth until early 2009 before he switched to centre whenBrett Finch arrived at the club, where he played for the remainder of his time there until the end of2010.
Inglis' representative matches forQueensland andAustralia have been mainly as acentre, fullback orwinger. In November 2009, Inglis won theGolden Boot Award as the world's best player – presented to him byRugby League World magazine, becoming the third consecutive Storm player to win it, afterCameron Smith (2007) andBilly Slater (2008). In 2018, Inglis was given the captaincy of theQueensland Maroons for the series against theNew South Wales Blues (2018). At the end of the 2019 season, he announced his retirement, but in May 2020 signed with theWarrington Wolves for the 2021 English Super League season. After three matches, a hamstring injury ended his tenure with that club.
Inglis was born inKempsey, New South Wales, Australia to a family ofIndigenous Australian (Dunghutti) heritage.[5] He began playingrugby league at a very young age for theBowraville Tigers inNew South Wales. While living in Macksville, he grew up with fellow local, close friend and future Australian cricket playerPhil Hughes.[6]
At 15 years old, after being seen playing at a junior carnival on the NSW North Coast, Inglis signed his first professional contract with theCanberra Raiders but actually played his first senior game at 16 for Hunter Sports High School in New South Wales.[7] Later that year he moved toBrisbane, Queensland and continued to play senior football forWavell State High School and Melbourne Storm's feeder clubNorths Devils. While inYear 11 at Brisbane's Wavell State High School, Inglis played for the2004 Australian Schoolboys and was already attracting media attention as an NRL star of the future.[8] He played his first under 18s game for the Brisbane Wombats in 2004.[9] Before the end of the 2004 season the Storm had added Inglis to their full-time playing roster for the following year.[10]
Inglis played for Melbourne in 2005 in a pre-season trial match against theBrisbane Broncos, scoring a try in the Storm's win.[11] While playing for Brisbane'sNorths Devils in the 2005Queensland Cup season, Inglis scored 12 tries in five games[12] and had already become the subject of a battle between Queensland and New South Wales over which state he would playState of Origin for. Inglis scored 194 points for theNorths Devils in theQueensland Cup.[13] In Round 6 of the2005 NRL season, Inglis made hisNRL premiership debut at 18 as a replacement to injured wingerJake Webster inMelbourne's match against theParramatta Eels, scoring a try in the 26–14 loss atOlympic Park.[14] Inglis would go on to play a month later at fullback in Round 10 against theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs, scoring a try in the Storm's 38–12 win atSydney Football Stadium.[15] Inglis played at fullback whenBilly Slater was on Origin duty, or at wing or the bench as he slowly solidified himself in the Storm side. At the2005 Dally M Awards Inglis was nominated for the Rookie of the Year, but lost to Parramatta'sTim Smith. The Storm went on to reach the finals that season and in a play-off match against theBrisbane Broncos, Inglis had his first experience in finals football. With the game still in the balance,Billy Slater was helped from the field with an ankle injury and Inglis replaced him. After being on the field for five minutes, he crossed the Broncos' line untouched to score the match-winning try.[16] The Storm then lost in the Semi-Finals to theNorth Queensland Cowboys 16–24, ending their season.[17]
Season 2006 saw Inglis continue to play primarily in thefullback role as his counterpart Billy Slater was suspended after he began the season atcentre. Inglis was chosen as goalkicker for the Storm after the departure ofMatt Orford, but the role was given toCameron Smith after Inglis kicked just 1 from 5 against theNew Zealand Warriors in the Storms' 22–16 win atMt Smart Stadium in Round 1.[18] After scoring 9 tries in 9 games, Inglis was selected in the starting line up in theQueensland State of Origin team. Inglis' selection for theQueensland Rugby LeagueState of Origin series team in 2006 created controversy which lingers nearly a decade later. Inglis was born and raised inBowraville, New South Wales, and played his first senior football in New South Wales (in the Arrive Alive Cup). Hunter Sports High coach Steve Dunn exposed the fact that Inglis playing for the school in theArrive Alive Cup made him eligible forNSW whileQueensland Rugby League claim that eitherWavell State High School orBrisbane Norths was Inglis' first senior football.[19] Leading rugby league statistician David Middleton provided information that Inglis should be playing for NSW.[20] The matter was resolved when theARL gave Inglis the green light to play forQueensland Rugby League, because it allowed theQRL's submission that his first senior football was atWavell High. However, later investigations revealed that Inglis played his first senior game for Newcastle's Hunter Sports High School at the age of 16, and is therefore technically not eligible to play for Queensland.[21] However, Inglis went on to begin his State of Origin career with the Maroons, lining up alongside Storm teammatesCameron Smith andDallas Johnson. A few early errors were soon forgotten when Inglis scored two tries and saved one. This was not enough for Queensland to win the match as they lost 17–16.[22] In the game after his brilliant Origin debut, Inglis suffered a back injury in Round 13 against theSydney Roosters in the Storms' 20–16 win atOlympic Park.[23] This injury kept him out for two months, effectively making him miss the rest of the2006 State of Origin series. It was around this time that Inglis signed for the Storm for a further four seasons, keeping him at the club until 2010. The deal was worth about $2 million, making him the richest teenager in rugby league.[24] On his return from injury, Inglis continued in thecentre position and was an important factor in the Storm winning the2006 NRL season'sMinor Premiership. The Storm cruised through the finals, beating theParramatta Eels 12–6,[25] and theSt. George Illawarra Dragons 24–10,[26] then eventually met theBrisbane Broncos in the2006 NRL Grand Final, which the Storm lost 15–8.[27][28] Inglis finished the2006 NRL season with 18 tries and 2 goals, an effort which earned him selection in theAustralian team for the2006 Tri-Nations series.[29] Inglis scored four tries in his opening three tests againstNew Zealand andGreat Britain and featured in the Final againstNew Zealand, which the Kangaroos won 16–12 atSFS.[30]
In 2007, Inglis was switched primarily tofive-eighth; his form at five-eighth was often criticised. In the opening month of the2007 NRL Season, Inglis failed to score a try. In Round 4, Inglis sustained a knee injury against theNewcastle Knights in the 22–12 win atHunter Stadium which kept him out of the2007 Anzac Test.[31][32] Despite not scoring atfive-eighth, Inglis was selected for theQueensland State of Origin team for the2007 State of Origin series, playing on thewing. In Game 1, Inglis scored 2 tries in Queensland's 25–18 come-from-behind victory, giving him a record of four tries from two matches.[33] Inglis finally scored his first try of 2007 in Round 12, against theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs in the 26–10 win atOlympic Park.[34] Inglis was again selected to play on the wing for his state, and scored in Queensland's 10–6 win, which gave Queensland their second consecutive Origin series victory.[35] Despite scoring 3 tries in 2 games on the wing for Queensland, Storm coachCraig Bellamy kept pursuing Inglis as afive-eighth. In Game 3 of the Origin series, Inglis injured a ligament in his knee after just 22 minutes, and as a result missed 2 weeks of action. Queensland ultimately lost the game, 18–4, but had already wrapped up the series.[36] Following his return, Inglis and the Storm focused on the finals. The Storm suffered their third loss of 2007 in Round 20 against aBrad Fittler coachedSydney Roosters side 26–16 loss atSFS.[37] Following this, the Storm remained undefeated for the rest of the season, winning their second consecutiveMinor Premiership. In the finals, the Storm got redemption from the heartbreaking 2006 loss after beating theBrisbane Broncos 40–0 in the Qualifying Final, eliminating them from the competition for 2007.[38] They then defeated theParramatta Eels 26–10 in the preliminary final[39] to qualify for the2007 NRL Grand Final, where the Storm faced off against theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles, who finished second. After a 10–4 lead at halftime and an untimely injury toBrett Stewart, the Storm blew Manly off the park, winning 34–8. Inglis scored two tries and as a result was awarded theClive Churchill Medal.[40] Inglis also played in the one-off test at the end of the year. Inglis scored a hat-trick inAustralia's record breaking 58–0 thrashing ofNew Zealand atWestpac Stadium.[41] Later that year, Inglis was selected as a centre in the Storm's "team of the decade" to celebrate their ten-year anniversary.[42]
Inglis had shoulder surgery in the 2007–2008 off-season, and consequently missed the opening 2 rounds of the2008 NRL Season. Inglis returned in the Round 3 clash with theSydney Roosters, which the Storm lost 10–6 atSFS, giving them their first consecutive losses since Round 3 and 4 of the2006 NRL Season (they lost to theCronulla Sharks the previous week).[43] Inglis was selected on thewing in theAustralian team for the historicalCentenary Test againstNew Zealand. Inglis provided a memorable moment, by amazingly hitting the ball into the field of play to provideMark Gasnier with a try. Australia won 28–12.[44] Inglis was selected to play forQueensland for the2008 State of Origin series in the centres. Inglis was in Queensland's 18–10 Game 1 loss toNew South Wales atANZ Stadium.[45] In Game 2, Inglis had a brilliant performance, setting up two tries forDarius Boyd as Queensland won 30–0.[46] Around this time,Sonny Bill Williams walked out of theBulldogs and joined Frenchrugby union sideRC Toulonnais, despite being contracted with the Bulldogs until 2012. This move was believed to be instigated by Khoder Nassar, who is also the manager of former 3-timeWorld Champion boxerAnthony Mundine, who walked out of theSt. George Illawarra Dragons in 2000. Inglis, who is family friends with both Mundine and Nassar, was rumoured to be on the verge of walking out of the Storm and joiningSuper Rugby side theWestern Force, despite being contracted until 2010. However, Inglis stayed loyal to the Storm and extended his contract until 2012. In Game 3 of the Origin series, Queensland won 16–10, getting their third consecutive series win. Despite having a solid series, Inglis failed to score during the Origin campaign.[47] In the final 7 games of season, Inglis scored 11 tries as the Storm won their third consecutiveMinor Premiership.
In August 2008, Inglis was named in thepreliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the2008 World Cup.[48][49] At the2008 Dally M Awards, Inglis was namedFive-eighth of the Year and Representative Player of the Year, as well as winning the Headline Moment of the Year for his brilliant assist toMark Gasnier in the 2008 Centenary Test.[50] In the finals, the Storm lost 15–18 to the 8th placeNew Zealand Warriors, becoming the first 1st placed team to lose an 8th place team.[51] In the Semi-Finals, the Storm faced theBrisbane Broncos. In a brilliant match, Inglis scored with 56 seconds remaining to give the Storm a 16–14 victory.[52] The Storm easily beat theCronulla Sharks, 28–0, to qualify to another Grand Final.[53] However, they lost in a record breaking 40–0 clash with theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles, failing to retain their Premiership.[54][55] Inglis played in 22 matches, scored 17 tries and kicked 1 field goal for theStorm in the2008 NRL season. Inglis was confirmed in the final 24-manAustralia squad to compete in the World Cup at the end of the 2008 season.[56] Inglis scored in Australia's 30–6 win overNew Zealand,[57] and a hat-trick in their 52–4 win overEngland.[58] Inglis also scored in the Semi-Final win overFiji,[59] before Australia surprisingly lost the Final, 34–20, againstNew Zealand.[60] Inglis scored 6 tries in 4 games for the tournament, and scored in every match he played for the tournament.
At the start of the 2009 season Inglis attracted a lot of attention due to how much weight he'd gained since the previous season, having bulked from 99 kg up to 110 kg, making him one of the biggest players in the game. Inglis scored the first try of the season for 2009 againstSt George Illawarra as well as being one of the best on ground. Inglis scored the match winning field goal to win the game for the Storm, 17–16 atOlympic Park. In doing so, he had not only ruinedWayne Bennett's last game in charge of theBrisbane Broncos but also his first game coaching theSt George Illawarra Dragons, by scoring the match winning point.[61] The Storm had a shaky start to the season, going by a win–loss pattern until Round 7, which they drew 14–14 with theNew Zealand Warriors atOlympic Park.[62] In Round 8 the Storm extracted grand final revenge on Premiers theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with Inglis scoring the 22–8 win atBrookvale Oval.[63] During this time, Storm coachCraig Bellamy experimented by puttingCameron Smith at five-eighth, Inglis back in the centres andRyan Hinchcliffe at hooker. However, afterBrett Finch was released by theParramatta Eels, the Storm signed him and made him their first choice five-eighth, putting Inglis back at his preferred centres position. Inglis was selected forAustralia in the2009 Anzac Test match againstNew Zealand on 8 May 2009.[64] Inglis was part of an all-Queensland backline, includingBilly Slater,Darius Boyd,Justin Hodges,Israel Folau,Darren Lockyer andJohnathan Thurston. This feat had not been achieved since 1924. Australia won 38–10, with the backline scoring all the points.[65] In April 2009, Inglis was named in the preliminary 25-man squad to representQueensland in the openingState of Origin match for 2009.[66]
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He was subsequently picked atcentre for the opening State of Origin match.[67] In Game 1, Inglis scored 2 tries, as Queensland won 28–18.[68] Meanwhile, the Storm maintained their position in the Top 4 of the NRL competition.
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In Game 2, Inglis scored again as Queensland recorded a 24–14 win overNew South Wales, becoming the first team to win 4 consecutive Origin series. In Game II, Inglis was taken off the field in the first half after receiving a punch to the face fromTrent Barrett.[69] In Game 3, New South Wales won 28–16, in a game that featured a memorable brawl in the 79th minute. Inglis received theWally Lewis Medal for player of the series that year in recognition of his efforts during the2009 State of Origin series.[70] AfterKarmichael Hunt shockingly signed with the newAFL club theGold Coast, Inglis revealed he wouldn't mind "having a crack" at AFL. This created concern that Inglis may make a switch, but Inglis made it clear on theFooty Show that he will fulfill his contract with the Melbourne Storm. On 10 August 2009, Inglis was charged with recklessly causing injury and the unlawful assault of his girlfriend Sally Robinson the previous day, and was indefinitely suspended from playing with the Melbourne Storm.[71][72] Inglis was cleared to return to play with the Melbourne Storm by the club's board and theNRL on 27 August.[73] Inglis pleaded not guilty to the charges, with the case adjourned for a contest hearing on 12 April 2010.[74] After his court hearing was postponed, Inglis made his comeback against theSydney Roosters, scoring a double in the Storm's final game 38–4 win atOlympic Park.[75] At the2009 Dally M Awards Inglis was namedcentre of the year and representative player of the year.[76] In the finals, the Storm comfortably defeated premiers theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles 40–12,[77] before defeating theBrisbane Broncos 40–10, in which Inglis scored a hat-trick.[78] The Storm qualified for their fourth consecutive grand final, against theParramatta Eels. In the2009 NRL Grand Final against theParramatta Eels, Inglis scored a try from aCooper Cronk bomb and kicked a finalfield goal in the Storm's 23–16 win.[79] From this victory, Inglis become a dual-premiership player as the Storm capped off their dominance by winning their second premiership in three years. Post season he travelled with the Kangaroos to Europe to play in the2009 Four Nations tournament. Inglis also scored in the 46–16 final win overEngland and was named player of the series in theFour nations final.[80] Inglis also claimed theGolden Boot Award for the best rugby league player in the world.
In November 2009, American boxerRoy Jones Jr. struck up a friendship with Inglis and dubbed him thePeyton Manning of Australia in terms of athletic ability.[81] Jones later suggested he would be a smash inAmerican football. In December 2009 Inglis won his state's major sporting award by being named "Sport Star of the Year" at the Queensland Sports Awards, becoming the first footballer of any code to win it.[82]
Although selected for theIndigenous All Stars side to face theNRL All Stars in the inaugural All Stars match on 13 February, Inglis was ruled out due to a hip injury.[83] Inglis recovered in time to play for the Storm in their victory over the Super League championsLeeds Rhinos in the2010 World Club Challenge which the Storm won, 18–10.[84] In Round 4 against thePenrith Panthers, Inglis played his 100thNRL match in the Storms' 16–10 win atPenrith Stadium.[85] For the2010 Anzac Test, Inglis was selected to play forAustralia atcentre in their 12–8 victory againstNew Zealand atAAMI Park.[86] The assault allegation affair ended in April 2010 when Inglis avoided a conviction, accepting a diversion order.[87] In April 2010, it was revealed that the Storm had been breaching the salary cap since 2005, and were subsequently stripped of theirNRL Premiership victories in 2007 and 2009. They were also stripped of their 2006, 2007 and 2008Minor Premiership trophies.[88] Finally, they were stripped of their accumulated premiership points that season and were barred from obtaining any competition points from the2010 NRL Season, meaning they would inevitably get the wooden spoon, the first in the club's history. Inglis was still allowed to continue to be recognised as theClive Churchill Medallist from the 2007 grand final. In May 2010, Inglis was invited to trial withNational Football League teamsBuffalo andDenver.[89]
In Round 10, Inglis scored a personal best 16 points, with 3 tries and 2 goals against theCanberra Raiders in the Storms' 17–6 win atCanberra Stadium.[90] In doing so, he brought his career try tally to 72 tries, overtakingMarcus Bai to become the 3rd highest tryscorer for theMelbourne Storm, behind retired legendMatt Geyer and teammateBilly Slater. In Game 1 of the2010 State of Origin series, Inglis scored a try in Queensland's 28–24 win as they look to achieve a 5th straight series win.[91] On 11 June 2010,Timana Tahu walked out of theNew South Wales Origin camp, which was cited as "personal reasons". On 12 June, however, it was revealed that Tahu walked because of racial comments made byNew South Wales Assistant CoachAndrew Johns. It was later revealed the comments were directed at Inglis, as Johns was talking about him with NSW debutantBeau Scott, who faced off with Inglis in Game 2.[92] On 13 June, Tahu revealed that Inglis was not the only target of the racial comments. On 24 June, Inglis said that Johns should be banned from any further involvement in the game of rugby league. In July 2010, Inglis reportedly accepted an apology from Johns. This triggered Inglis to have a big Game 2, scoring the opening try and engaging in a brawl with debutantBeau Scott.[93] This 34–6 victory to Queensland gave them their record fifth straight series win. Queensland achieved their first series whitewash since 1995, and the first of Origin since 2000, to cap off their fifth consecutive series win, winning a thrilling 23–18 encounter.[94] In the wake of the salary cap problems at the Storm, Inglis' future at the club after 2010 became uncertain. Many clubs from four football codes (rugby league, rugby union, American football and Australian rules) pursued him. Clubs included theBrisbane Broncos,Gold Coast Titans,South Sydney Rabbitohs,Catalans Dragons,Essendon Football Club andNew York Jets.[95] On 10 August 2010, Inglis signed with theBrisbane Broncos for the2011 and 2012 NRL seasons in a deal worth $1.2 million.[96] The Broncos had released a key player inIsrael Folau who joinedAFL club, theGreater Western Sydney Giants, which freed up the funds necessary to secure Inglis' services. Inglis' girlfriend Sally Robinson was living and working in Brisbane, a factor which is said to have helped Inglis make his decision to sign with the Broncos.[97] In August 2010, after the Storm agreed to release Inglis after the 2010 NRL Season, Inglis announced he will join theBrisbane Broncos. On 1 September 2010, the Broncos ordered Inglis to have a shoulder reconstruction in the 2010–2011 off-season. This caused Inglis to miss the end of yearFour Nations. In his final game for the Storm in Round 26, against theNewcastle Knights, Inglis scored 2 tries as the Storm won 34–4 atAAMI Park.[98] The win sent off several players who were leaving the club at the end of 2010 due to the salary cap drama. Inglis had also finished the2010 NRL season as the Storm's top try-scorer with 11 and kicked 7 goals (58) in 20 matches in his last year with the club. By October 2010, no contract with the Broncos had been signed, due to the Storm refusing to release Inglis.[99] On 24 October 2010, the Storm revealed that Inglis owed the club $113,000 worth of legal fees following his 2009 assault charge. A week later, theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs made an offer to Inglis. Inglis missed the Broncos first training session of the 2010–2011 pre-season on 1 November, citing bad weather in Sydney, where he was staying, as the reason. On 2 November, Inglis assured Broncos CEOBruno Cullen that he will play for the Broncos in 2011. Two days later, future Broncos teammateJustin Hodges criticised the treatment of Inglis, saying Inglis was considering walking out of rugby league. On 5 November, the Broncos gave Inglis a 24-hour deadline to sign with the club. On 6 November, after Inglis failed to reach Brisbane, the Broncos pulled out of signing Inglis, leaving him without a club for 2011 and beyond.[100] Inglis also received an offer from French rugby clubToulon, backing up Hodges' claim that Inglis may walk out of rugby league.[101] Inglis's inability to sign with the Broncos has been criticised by Cullen, who claims Inglis "betrayed" the Broncos.[102] On 8 November 2010, it was revealed Inglis would most likely sign with the Rabbitohs.[103] On 12 November, Inglis signed with theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs for the2011, 2012 and 2013 NRL seasons. The deal was worth $1.8 million.[104] Influences for Inglis's shock move toRedfern includedRabbitohs ownerRussell Crowe, Inglis's close friendAnthony Mundine, Inglis's cousinBeau Champion and billionaireAndrew Forrest. Inglis attended his first training session on 15 November. However, third-party deals totaling $200,000 had to be included within South Sydney's salary cap which placed the Rabbits over the NRL salary cap. The deal was not officially approved by the NRL, the Melbourne Storm or the NRL's auditor, Ian Schubert.[105][106] By 18 December, no deal had been solidified with the Rabbitohs, putting Inglis's NRL career into doubt. According to reports,[107] Schubert refused to accept the contract signed with the Rabbitohs, leaving Inglis to consider leaving the NRL. Inglis soon met withAFL clubsSt. Kilda andEssendon.[107] In December 2010, following contract issues with NRL clubsBrisbane andSouth Sydney, Inglis met withEssendon coachJames Hird over a potential switch toAustralian rules football.[108] Inglis later revealed he was hours away from signing with Essendon.[109] On 24 December 2010, it was officially announced that Inglis had signed the contract with the Rabbitohs for three seasons, at the expense of cousin Beau Champion, who signed with Melbourne Storm for the same period of time.[110]
Inglis was named in theIndigenous All-Stars side for the second annualNRL All-Stars game. However, his off-season surgery forced him to miss both the All-Stars game for the second consecutive year, as well as the annualCharity Shield game between Souths and reigningNRL PremiersSt. George Illawarra Dragons.[111]
Inglis made his Rabbitohs debut on the opening night of the2011 NRL season scoring a try in a 29–40 loss to traditional rivals theSydney Roosters atSFS.[112] When theRabbitohs struggled in the early stages of the season, registering just 3 victories in the opening 8 weeks. The Rabbitohs announced the signing of formerStorm assistant coachMichael Maguire,[113] who Inglis knows very well, as their coach for 2012 and beyond, but the Rabbitohs had to deal withEngland internationalSam Burgess being ruled out for the season,[114] as well as the news of halfbackChris Sandow signing for theParramatta Eels for 2012.[115] Also, due to the injury of Rabbitohs captainRoy Asotasi, Inglis became front-runner to assume captaincy of the club,[116] but the job was given toMichael Crocker. Inglis was selected for the2011 Anzac Test againstNew Zealand, despite his inconsistent form. Inglis was injured in the opening 10 minutes of the game with a hip injury.[117] Australia went on to win 20–10 atCbus Super Stadium. The injury, however, proved more serious than first thought, and consequently Inglis was ruled out of Game One of the2011 State of Origin series. In Round 13, Inglis made his return to take on his former club theMelbourne Storm in the Rabbitohs 16–6 loss atANZ Stadium.[118] Inglis returned to theMaroons side in the 18–8 Game 2 loss toNSW.[119] After some poor form by Inglis in Origin Game 2, Inglis scored the first try in Game 3 in a double in the 34–24 decider victory. The double allowed Inglis to equal the Queensland try-scoring record held byDale Shearer.[120] Following the Maroons' sixth consecutive series victory, Inglis found form for the Rabbitohs, scoring five tries in his final six games of the season. In Round 25 against theBrisbane Broncos, Inglis suffered an ankle injury against in the 22–10 loss atSuncorp Stadium.[121] In Round 26, With a place in the top eight up for grabs, the Rabbitohs lost to 40–24 to theNewcastle Knights resulting in the Rabbitohs finishing tenth.[122] Inglis played in 18 matches and scored 8 tries in his first year withRabbitohs in the2011 NRL season. Inglis's injury continued to haunt him, ruling him out ofDarren Lockyer's final Test on home soil.[123] However, Inglis was ruled eligible to play in the upcomingFour Nations. Inglis scored in each of his appearances in the2011 Four-Nations, including in the 30–8 final win overEngland atElland Road.[124]
Inglis began the 2012 season with his third selection in theIndigenous All-Stars squad,[125] however, due to injury in2010 and2011, it was his first All-Star appearance. Inglis scored a try in a thrilling 36–28 loss to theNRL All Stars and also suffered an ankle injury.[126] Due to lack of quality ball, new Rabbitohs coach and former Melbourne assistantMichael Maguire shifted Inglis from the centres to his original position at fullback in the Round 3 game against thePenrith Panthers. Inglis excelled there, assisting in the Rabbitohs 40–24 win atPenrith Stadium.[127] Following his performance, Inglis became the regular fullback for the Rabbitohs. Inglis's abilities at fullback were demonstrated with him kicking a game-winning field goal against theWests Tigers in Round 5 in the Rabbitohs 17–16 win atSFS,[128] and a dominant Round 9 three-try performance against theCronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the Rabbitohs 34–28 win atANZ Stadium.[129] Inglis representedAustralia in the2012 Anzac Test, scoring a try in the 20–12 win atEden Park.[130] Inglis played in allState of Origin matches in 2012. InGame 1, Inglis became the greatest try scorer inOrigin history by scoring his 13th try for Queensland, albeit a controversial one.[131] Inglis was once again a crucial factor to Queensland winning an incredibleseventh series in a row, even playing fullback in Game 3 due to an injury toBilly Slater in the Maroons 21–20 win atSuncorp Stadium.[132][133] After only one finals appearance since 1989, the Rabbitohs enjoyed a strong season, led by Inglis and the likes ofDavid Taylor,Sam Burgess,Isaac Luke and rookie halfbackAdam Reynolds, as well as the coaching ofMichael Maguire. They finished 3rd on the ladder, their most successful season since re-joining the NRL in2002. In their first finals game since 2007, and Inglis's first finals game since 2009, the Rabbitohs clashed with Inglis's formerMelbourne Storm club. The Rabbitohs were easily beaten 24–6 by the experienced Storm atAAMI Park.[134] Facing elimination in the semi-finals, they comfortably defeated theCanberra Raiders 38–16 atANZ Stadium,[135] before losing the preliminary final against theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32–8 atANZ Stadium.[136] Inglis played in 22 matches, scored 12 tries and kicked 1 field goal in an outstanding year for theRabbitohs in the2012 NRL season. Inglis played in the October Trans–Tasman test againstNew Zealand at1300SMILES Stadium playing atcentre in the 18–10 win.[137]
Inglis played forAustralia atcentre and scored atry in the2013 Anzac Test 32–12 victory againstNew Zealand atCanberra Stadium.[138] Inglis played atcentre in all three games, and scored a try in Game 2 of the2013 State of Origin series in the 26–6 win.[139]Queensland won the series, extending their record for consecutive series victories to eight. Inglis also continued his dominance in the fullback role for South Sydney, scoring 14 tries in 20 matches in the2013 NRL season. At the2013 Dally M Awards he received theProvan-Summons Medal and was named atfullback in the premiership's team of the year. Along withJohn Sutton, Inglis was named co-recipient of the 2013 George Piggins Medal as the Rabbitohs' player of the season.[140] In the post-season Inglis played forAustralia in their successful2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. Inglis won the RLIF InternationalFullback of the Year and was also shortlisted alongsideSonny Bill Williams andDanny Brough for theRLIF International Player of the Year.[141]
In 2014 Inglis continued playing strongly at club level in the fullback position but was selected for both the2014 Anzac Test and the2014 State of Origin series in his old position ofcentre. In Round 21 against theNewcastle Knights atBarlow Park inCairns, after Rabbitohs captainJohn Sutton was ruled out with injury, Inglis was selected to captain the Rabbitohs to make his first match captaining a side, Inglis scored a try and lead the Rabbitohs to an impressive 50–10 win.[142] Towards the end of the2014 NRL season an injury to Rabbitohs captainJohn Sutton saw Inglis spend some time in the role. In the Rabbitohs Preliminary Final match against theSydney Roosters, Inglis played in 200thNRL career match in the 32–22 win, sending the Rabbitohs into the Grand Final.[143] On 5 October 2014, in the Rabbitohs2014 NRL Grand Final against theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Inglis played atfullback and scored the final try off the match, doing his trademark Goanna walk try celebration in the Rabbitohs 30–6 victory.[144][145] The victory saw him win his first valid premiership ring after those that he won with the Melbourne Storm in 2007 and 2009 were stripped due tosalary cap breaches, which forced him to leave that club at the end of 2010.[146] Inglis finished off his exciting year with theRabbitohs in the2014 NRL season with him playing 24 matches and scoring 12 tries. On 14 October 2014, Inglis was selected in theAustralia Kangaroos 24-man2014 Four Nations squad.[147]
On 20 January 2015, Inglis was appointed leader of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, taking over from previouscaptainJohn Sutton due to an incident that involved Sutton in Arizona.[148][149] In January 2015,Australian rugby sevens coach Geraint John revealed plans to sign NRL players for the2016 Olympics and mentioned Inglis by name.[150][151] A quote from Inglis in February 2015 in which he stated he was considering his options beyond 2015 sparked interest from several football codes.[152] In March 2015, it was revealed that French rugby union clubToulouse had offered Inglis a contract worth $1.5 million a year.[153] On 13 February 2015, Inglis was selected atfullback forIndigenous All Stars for the 2015 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match atCbus Super Stadium. Inglis scored a try in the indigenous side's 20–6 win over theNRL All Stars.[154] On 23 February 2015, Inglis captained the Rabbitohs in the2015 World Club Challenge match against 2014 Super League championsSt. Helens. Inglis scored a try in the record 39–0 win atLangtree Park.[155] For the2015 Anzac Test, Inglis was selected forAustralia againstNew Zealand, playing at fullback in the Kangaroos 26–12 loss atSuncorp Stadium.[156][157] Inglis also played centre and fullback for Queensland in the 2015 State of Origin series. After a tight loss to New South Wales in the previous year, Inglis scored two tries in their 11–10 win and record breaking 52–6 win againstNew South Wales.[158] In Round 21 against thePenrith Panthers, Inglis celebrated his 100th NRL career game wearing the red-and-green jersey against in the Rabbitohs 20–16 win atANZ Stadium.[159] Inglis finished the2015 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 8 tries for the Rabbitohs. On 15 December, Inglis was named at fullback for theIndigenous All Stars team to play against theWorld All Stars on 13 February 2016.[160]
On 19 January, afterJohnathan Thurston withdrew from theIndigenous All Stars squad, Inglis was appointed as the new captain for the team.[161] On 13 February, Inglis played at fullback against theWorld All Stars team, in the 12–8 loss atSuncorp Stadium.[162]
Inglis started the2016 NRL season playing fullback. After an inconsistent display in the opening 9 rounds the season, Australian Test coachMal Meninga selected Inglis at centre, with fellow Queensland Origin teammate and close friendDarius Boyd being selected to play at fullback for the2016 Anzac Test. Inglis scored a try in the 16–0 win.[163] Following the Trans-Tasman Test match, Souths coachMichael Maguire shifted Inglis to five-eighth for the Round 10 match against theParramatta Eels, withLuke Keary moving to the bench.[164] This was his third positional change in 2 weeks[165] and after producing a strong performance,[166] Inglis was retained at five-eighth for the next game against the Dragons. As expected, Inglis was selected for the Queensland State of Origin side, and played in the centres for Game I and II, which were both QLD wins. For the Rabbitohs round 16 clash against thePenrith Panthers, Inglis was switched back into the centres from five-eighth after producing a poor performance in the Round 14 game against the Tigers. In Origin III, Inglis was charged for an alleged shoulder charge onJosh Dugan which saw him get suspended for three weeks. When he returned for South Sydney in Round 22, he was named at five-eighth again, but soon shifted to the fullback position in his side's narrow 15–14 loss to theMelbourne Storm. He retained the position for the following match against theNew-Zealand Warriors and scored a try in his sides 22–41 win.[citation needed]
Inglis was named captain of theAustralian Prime Minister's XIII for their match againstPapua New Guinea.[167]
On 7 October 2016, Greg signed a new 3-year contract to see him play for theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs until 2020.
Inglis started the year, being selected as usual in the Indigenous All Stars team for the Rugby League All Stars game, playing at Centre.
After starting round 1 of the 2017 NRL season playing at Fullback in theRabbitohs' home game clash against theTigers atANZ Stadium, Inglis suffered a season-endinganterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury.[citation needed]
Inglis was chosen to be the captain of theQueensland Maroons by coachKevin Walters forState of Origin.[168]Inglis made 19 appearances and scored 10 tries for Souths in 2018 as the club finished 3rd on the table at the end of the regular season. Souths fell one game short of a grand final appearance losing to Eastern Suburbs 12–4 in the preliminary final. On 1 October, Inglis was stripped of the Australian captaincy after being charged by police for drink driving and speeding offences. Inglis was arrested and taken to Lithgow Police Station where he underwent breath analysis and allegedly returned a reading of 0.085.[169][170]
On 14 January, Inglis was handed an 18-month good behaviour bond at Downing Centre local court in relation to being charged with drink driving back in October 2018.[171]
On 15 April 2019, Inglis announced his immediate retirement from the NRL.[172]
On 30 August 2019, Inglis was announced at centre in the Queensland Maroons Team of the Decade.
On 19 May 2020, it was announced Inglis would come out of retirement to play for Super League sideWarrington in 2021. He signed an initial one-year contract to keep him at the club until the end of the 2021 Super League Season.[173]
In round 5 of the2021 Super League season, Inglis made his debut for Warrington and scored a try in the club's 50-26 victory overHull KR.[174] After just three appearances for Warrington, Inglis badly tore his hamstring and agreed in July 2021 to mutually terminate his playing contract, staying on at the club as a volunteer in a mentoring role until the end of the 2021 season.[175][176]
In August 2024, theNational Rugby League announced that Inglis was an inductee into theNational Rugby League Hall of Fame. Inglis, who was ascribed Hall of Fame number 125, was amongst eleven male players in the 2024 Class.[177]
In August 2009, Inglis was charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault in relation to his then girlfriend Sally Robinson.[178] Robinson was left with black eyes as a result of the alleged incident.[178] In April 2010 Inglis was ordered to complete a behavioural change program after accepting responsibility for pushing Robinson in the August 2009 incident.[179]
In June 2010, Inglis announced his engagement to Robinson.[180] Inglis and Robinson married on 5 December 2010 at the Twin Waters Resort inMaroochydore.[181]
His cousins includeAlbert Kelly ofHull FC, formerParramatta Eels playerBeau Champion,[182] and formerGold Coast Titans player and 2001 Dally M winnerPreston Campbell.[183]
Inglis was very close to Australian former Cricket PlayerPhil Hughes. He grew up playing junior Rugby League and Cricket in New South Wales with him, as well as playing junior sports with him[184] and was very grieved at the 25-year-old's untimely death after being hit in the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game.[185][186]
In June 2019, Inglis was diagnosed with aBipolar II disorder, following another stint in rehabilitation for alcohol problems anddepression. "To get that diagnosed made me understand things a lot clearer about myself," Inglis said. "When I was in a high, I would train the best, lift the best in the gym, be so good at everything I did. But when I was feeling down, I just shut down and before I knew it, just snap."[187]
On 14 August 2024, Inglis was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.[188]
On 30 January 2025 theWests Tigers announced that Inglis had joined the Tigers NRLW squad as part of the coaching staff working alongside the teams outside backs.[189] A few days later on 4 February Inglis joined the coaching staff of the Queensland Women's State of Origin squad.[190]
In July 2012[191] Inglis released his own range of clothing with the initials GI and a silhouette of "Greg" fending off the opposition similar in style toAir Jordan, the iconic silhouette used for theMichael Jordan brand of clothing.[192]
| † | Denotes seasons in which Inglis won anNRL Premiership |
| † | Denotes seasons in which Inglis won anNRL Premiership that was later stripped |
| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts | W | L | D | W-L % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Melbourne Storm | 13 | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 28 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 53.8 |
| 2006 | 19 | 18 | 2 | 40.0 | 0 | 76 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 78.9 | |
| 2007† | 20 | 9 | 0 | — | 0 | 36 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 85.0 | |
| 2008 | 22 | 17 | 0 | — | 1 | 69 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 77.3 | |
| 2009† | 23 | 16 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 66 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 67.4 | |
| 2010 | 20 | 11 | 7 | 70.0 | 0 | 58 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 60.0 | |
| 2011 |  South Sydney Rabbitohs | 18 | 8 | 0 | — | 0 | 32 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 2012 | 22 | 12 | 0 | — | 1 | 49 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 59.1 | |
| 2013 | 20 | 14 | 0 | — | 0 | 56 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 80.0 | |
| 2014† | 24 | 13 | 0 | — | 0 | 52 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 66.7 | |
| 2015 | 20 | 8 | 0 | — | 0 | 32 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 60.0 | |
| 2016 | 20 | 5 | 0 | — | 0 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 45.0 | |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 19 | 10 | 40 | ||||||||
| 2019 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 2021 |  Warrington Wolves | 3 | 2 | 4 | |||||||
| Career totals | 267 | 151 | 9 | 56.3 | 4 | 630 | 158 | 83 | 1 | 65.29 | |
= Unfinished season
| † | Denotes seasons in which Inglis won aState of Origin Series |
| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts | W | L | D | W-L % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006† | Queensland | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007† | Queensland | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| 2008† | Queensland | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| 2009† | Queensland | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| 2010† | Queensland | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2011† | Queensland | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 2012† | Queensland | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| 2013† | Queensland | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| 2014 | Queensland | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3 |
| 2015† | Queensland | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| 2016† | Queensland | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| Career totals | 27 | 18 | 0 | — | 0 | 72 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 70 | |
| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts | W | L | D | W-L % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Australia | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.0 |
| 2007 | Australia | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2008 | Australia | 5 | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.0 |
| 2009 | Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 87.5 |
| 2010 | Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2011 | Australia | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2012 | Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2013 | Australia | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2014 | Australia | 5 | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60 |
| 2015 | Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Australia | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Career totals | 39 | 31 | 0 | — | 0 | 124 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 85.90 | |
Individual
Melbourne Storm
South Sydney Rabbitohs
During his rugby league career, Inglis has been well known for his post-try celebration where he imitates the 'Goanna'.[196][197]
In August 2008, Inglis was named at centre in theIndigenous Team of the Century.[198]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand) | Rugby League International Federation International Newcomer of the Year 2006 | Succeeded by Israel Folau (Australia) |
| Preceded by | Clive Churchill Medallist 2007 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Dally M Five-eighth of the Year 2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Dally M Representative Player of the Year 2008, 2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Wally Lewis Medallist 2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Golden Boot Award Rugby League World International Player of the Year 2009 | Succeeded by Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers & (New Zealand) |
